Cardiff owner Tan facing investigation

The Premier League is to ask Cardiff City officials for their observations after reports that owner Vincent Tan offered his players an extra bonus if the club were to avoid relegation this season.

But regulations state that any bonuses must be officially lodged before the start of the season and not offered on an ad hoc basis.

Cardiff are unlikely to face disciplinary action from the Premier League board, however, after a club spokesman said Tan had been unaware of the rules and has since withdrawn the offer.

Premier League rules state that "full details of a player's remuneration including all benefits to which he is entitled whether in cash or in kind shall be set out in his contract" and that "the terms of a contract between a club and a player shall be strictly adhered to".

Tan is said to have gatecrashed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's briefing ahead of Sunday's game at Tottenham to offer the players a share of a £3.7 million bonus should they beat the drop.

Such bonuses are commonplace as top-flight status means more income for clubs, but they must be made clear in players' contracts or a bonus schedule before the start of the campaign.

A spokesman for Malaysian businessman Tan told Press Association Sport: "Vincent didn't realise it was against the regulations. He has since rescinded the offer, which he made only with Cardiff's best interests at heart."